Tag Archives: Oregon houses for sale

You may be planning to update the master bath before putting your home on the market or after you’ve purchased a resale home. This is what’s trending among homeowners who renovated their bathrooms within the past 18 months, according to the latest survey conducted by Houzz.com.

· When remodeling master baths, 90% of homeowners change the style. The most popular option right now is transitional, a unique blend of classic traditional and sleek contemporary design.

An outdoor deck on your home provides valuable living and entertaining space. If you’re planning to extend your current deck or to build a new one yourself, here are five points to consider. Avoiding construction mistakes now can save you both time and money.

1. Follow building codes and obtain permits. DIYers often think they can build whatever they want because it’s on the back of their home, but ignoring decking and railing codes can be a safety hazard. 84 Lumber warns against not filing for a city or county permit: “If your project is flagged by a building inspector, you may have to rebuild significant portions, or maybe even tear the deck down.”

2. Choose quality building materials. A large selection of woods and treatments are available at most home improvement stores. Ask an associate for suggestions based on your budget. Depending on how long you’ll be living in your current home, maintenance-free composite decking may be worth the investment.

3. Follow IRC specs for railings and stairs. The International Residential Code (IRC) outlines the safety requirements for railings around elevated decks and handrails on stairs. For example, the IRC says that stairs longer than four steps must have a handrail on at least one side, and it must be graspable for the full run of the stairs.

4. Use exterior-grade hardware and fasteners. Regular nails tend to pop out as wood expands and contracts in changing weather. Exterior-grade screws, on the other hand, are less likely to come loose, but can still be removed if you need to replace a board in the future. Stainless-steel, polymer-coated and hot-dipped galvanized hardware and fasteners are some of the best options for deck-building materials.

5. Pay attention to the aesthetic details. Be sure your deck is as attractive as it is safe and sturdy. Your neighbors will appreciate the look of a well-designed deck as will future buyers whenever it’s time to resell your house.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011-2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

In 15 years, the number of people ages 65 and older will exceed the number ages 18 and younger. Living longer makes the transition from the traditional four-bedroom family house to a smaller floor plan very attractive to new retirees. And with smart home technology becoming more accessible every day, active seniors can look forward to living safely and securely for years to come.

According to REALTOR® Magazine, “a smart home is a dwelling that is equipped with electronic devices that can control the use of utilities and appliances via voice activation or a mobile app.”

All you need to transform any home into a smart home is (1) a high-speed internet connection, (2) a voice assistant such as Amazon’s Alexa and (3) a smart alarm system.

With these three basic technologies, you can play music, control lighting, brew coffee, set thermostat temperatures, monitor energy usage, and see who is at your front door, among other things.

IT’S A GOOD LIFE!!

Five Star award Winner 2011-2019 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Does your house have a room that could deter buyers because it desperately needs improvement? If so, this space, also known as the “blooper room,” might be the difference between a speedy sale and a lengthy period on the market, reports ApartmentTherapy.com.

Consider these common problem areas:

In an otherwise ideal home, a dated kitchen can be a significant buyer turn-off. However, spending thousands of dollars to renovate the entire space may not be necessary. Replacing dingy countertops or repainting dark cabinets in a lighter shade is an economical way to brighten up the decor.

A cramped laundry room is certainly not appealing. Remove all baskets and clothing for home showings. Add attractive open shelving to organize laundry supplies and hang up a laundry-themed poster or plaque.

Few buyers feel comfortable in a gloomy, musty-smelling basement or storage area. Painting the walls white and running a dehumidifier to improve the air quality should do the trick.

An unusually small room that leaves buyers wondering what to do with it can be considered wasted space. Be creative and try staging the room as a reading nook, an oversized storage space or a toy room for the kids.

No matter how thoughtfully designed, adark bedroom can bring buyers to a standstill. An absence of natural light – especially in a master bedroom – is a depressing sight, and the addition of poor artificial lighting can actually make the situation worse. Instead, try strategically placing mirrors to enhance existing sunlight and make the room feel more spacious.

As the weather begins to warm up, now’s the time to let your house
breathe and do some spring cleaning. Set aside a day or a weekend to
tackle your entire living space so you can freshen up your home without
dragging out the process. Use this list to organize your cleaning room
by room.

Kitchen:

· Wipe down cabinets.

· Clean windows.

· Deep clean stovetop, oven and microwave.

· Clean
out fridge and pantry. Remove everything from the shelves and wipe down
inside. As you return items, throw away any expired food, as well as
spices that have been open longer than a year.

· Freshen couches and chairs. Vacuum and use upholstery cleaner where needed. Rotate the placement of couch cushions.

· Wipe down baseboards and crown molding.

· Vacuum and steam clean carpets.

Bedroom:

· Remove
all bedding and sort into five piles: mattress pads, fitted sheets,
flat sheets, blankets, and comforters. Wash in that order so you can
make the beds as each load is completed.

· Wash or vacuum window treatments.

· Clean mirrors and windows.

· Dust furniture with microfiber cloths.

· Wipe down baseboards and crown molding.

· Vacuum and steam clean carpets.

Bathroom:

· Spray
surfaces of tubs, showers and toilets with a heavy-duty cleaner, then
allow to soak while you finish the next three items on the bathroom
checklist. Return to rinse surfaces before completing the fifth item.

· Clean mirrors, windows and sinks.

· Wipe down walls.

· Clean baseboards and vacuum or mop floors.

· Wash towels and throw rugs.

Five Star award recipient 2011-2018 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

A well-designed coffee table complements the rest of the room and creates an interesting visual story. Consider these tips to make your table look professionally styled:

· Display
decorative items in odd numbers (especially in groups of three) to
create an effortless look. Add at least one tall item to draw the eye
up, such as a vase with flowers or stems.

· Aim
for a cohesive, balanced design. For example, add a sculptural piece on
top of a stack of books to keep them from looking too flat. Pull in
colors from the rest of the room or pick items that are similar in
shape. Try using a serving tray to tie your decor together.

· Include
one statement piece that sparks conversation or showcases your
personality. This could be something you bought on a trip, an
interesting antique, or an item in a color or texture that pops.

· Keep
functionality in mind by leaving enough space for drink glasses and
snack plates. Add a decorative box or basket to catch remotes and other
daily items.

Five Star award recipient 2011-2018 honoring the top 7% of real estate professionals in Oregon.

Living in your home while renovating your kitchen comes with a certain level of chaos, but a little forethought can help you make it through.

Plan for simple meals and lots of takeout. Think sandwiches, soups and anything that can be grilled. If you’ll have access to a fridge, consider making and freezing meals that can be added to a slow cooker as needed. Factor takeout costs into your renovation budget and look for restaurants with daily deals such as kids eat free or two-for-one specials to help ease the financial strain.

Set up a temporary kitchen. Ideally, this will be away from the construction zone and close to a water source. Make sure the electrical outlets in your “kitchenette” can handle small appliances and a mini fridge, if possible. Plastic drawers on wheels work well for storing dishes, utensils and non-perishable food, and be sure to protect your temporary countertops from hot dishes.

Control the mess. There will be days when you just need to use disposable plates and utensils, but relying on them too much creates a lot of waste. Try keeping only one place setting per family member, which will force you to wash dishes right away. If you’re rinsing plates in a bathtub or bathroom sink, catch stray food scraps with a drain strainer to prevent clogs.

Expect delays. It’s helpful to practice patience if or when the contractor encounters “unforeseen issues” after tearing out the old cabinets, your new stove arrives 10 days late or the plumber accidentally floods the adjoining laundry room.

Keep your sanity. Designate at least one room in your home that’s construction-free and tell your contractor, if necessary. Having a peaceful place to escape during renovations can help your family regain a sense of normalcy along the way.

Five Star award Winner 2011-2019 honoring the top 7% of
real estate professionals in Oregon.